Israel Allows Egyptian Aid into Palestine After Week’s Delay

Israeli authorities on Tuesday allowed a medical relief shipment sent by the Egyptian Physicians Association to reach Palestinians after a week’s dela

By Mohammad Baali

Albawaba.com – Cairo

Israeli authorities on Tuesday allowed a medical relief shipment sent by the Egyptian Physicians Association to reach Palestinians after a week’s delay at the Rafah crossing point, organizers of the campaign told Albawaba.com.

According to Mohammad Said, the association’s media officer, the Israelis never gave a reason for the delay, adding that only 80 percent of the $38,000 worth of goods was allowed to be passed on to the Palestinians.

The shipment is part of a campaign undertaken by the Egyptian professional associations to help the Palestinians, who have been under an economic siege since the outbreak of the Intifada in September.

However, the organizers claim that the authorities in their country have also put sticks in the wheels.

On June 29, Egyptian security forces blocked a convoy of trucks carrying aid to Palestinians, triggering protests by hundreds of Egyptian activists accompanying the convoy at the border town of Rafah.

Protestors chanted slogans against the blockade, calling on authorities to clear the way for the aid donated by Egyptian citizens and institutions.

The convoy, organized by the Popular Committee for Solidarity with the Intifada, in coordination with the professionals unions of doctors, engineers and lawyers, carried hundreds of tons of food and 500,000 pounds worth of medicines.

Part of Rafah is under the Egyptian control, while the eastern section in run by the Palestinian Authority. However, the borders are jointly administered by the Israelis and PA officials – Albawaba.com